A suspect accused of sexually harassing a foreign woman in the Thirukkovil area has been arrested by police during a special search operation.

According to police, officers from the Thirukkovil Police Station, led by the Officer-in-Charge, apprehended the suspect this afternoon (16) in the Maradamadu area in Kalmunai.

The suspect, a 25-year-old father of one, had reportedly been living with his wife in several rented houses in and around Thirukkovil. After a video of the incident began circulating widely on social media, a post also claimed that the man was a peanut vendor in the area, prompting police to launch a detailed investigation.

During their inquiries, officers visited several locations where the suspect had previously stayed and recovered photocopies of the national identity cards belonging to him and his wife. They later learnt from the wife that the suspect had fled three days earlier.

Following further searches, police managed to locate and arrest him in Maradamadu this afternoon. Police said the suspect had altered his appearance by shaving his head in an apparent attempt to evade arrest.

He has since been handed over to the Pottuvil Police for further investigations.

The incident gained attention after a video went viral on social media showing a man exposing himself to a young foreign woman travelling on a trishaw. The 24-year-old New Zealand national, who arrived in Sri Lanka in September, lodged an email complaint with the Tourist Police Division yesterday (15).

Investigations have revealed that the tourist was travelling from Arugam Bay to Pasikuda on 25 October when she encountered the suspect in the Thirukkovil area.

Police investigations are continuing.